Actually Ogi, MOST people in the gym are ONLY interested in their upper body, because that's the "million dollar look". I know it exists with athletes too from personal experience. Most guys simply don't want to put the same TIME and effort into their "legs" (which means core) as they do their upper body, which has always surprised me.
- MexicoHawk

Bang on.......it's about the abs, pecs, and bis/tris. Thus the fad of tight custom polos, and v neck shirts.

Don't know many guys who would be willing to sport some runners shorts in public to flash their thighs and quads.

They like him. No decisions will be made on who's coming back until:

a) the official cap is announced,
and
b) the Hawks then decide who's going

I think they would like to have him back though
- John Jaeckel

Good to know. It seems like Q has a good amount of faith in him from what I have seen. Thanks for the info JJ.

TVR's brother has shown some solid balance. When he has played well he scores a lot in the crease area so , if genetics mean anything, the leg and core potential is there. TVR was really showing some decent qualities before the injury but that history - which stretches back apparently all the way to high school according to MH - has to be something of note. Hard to avoid atrophy with a series of similar injuries over years.

Obviously, the Hawks really want Reilly. Hopefully we see him signed this week and then we have Johns, Reilly, TVR, Gustafson to go for those open spots. Probably a veteran like Paul Martin or Beauchamin (not Jackhead) in the mix.. I'd personally love to see Oduya stay while these kids transition but that probably means Crow goes. Even then, hard to take Oduya on a long term deal at the current market.
- tredbrta

Oduya wants to stay with the Hawks, he has said so publicly...Hammer makes $4.1 million a season, and there's no way that Johnny is better than Nick...I can absolutely see Oduya taking a $4 mil/year deal with the Hawks. The key will be the duration...he will want 3 or 4 years and the Hawks will only want a 2 year deal. That's where the negotiating will focus upon IMO.

Good to know. It seems like Q has a good amount of faith in him from what I have seen. Thanks for the info JJ.
- 93Joe

I very much like Desi as well, and it would be great to have him back because he is a NATURAL CENTRE who is very good at the dot! Depth at centre wins championships.

Wait, so fully clothed women in dresses are not ok but half naked men are?

Sorry....missed the last few pages of posts because my eyes are bleeding after seeing a half naked TVR make his debut on here.

I wonder if he and Sharp have blue steel stare offs in the locker room?


- SteveRain

lucky for me my office computer blocks images and videos...

I very much like Desi as well, and it would be great to have him back because he is a NATURAL CENTRE who is very good at the dot! Depth at centre wins championships.
- MexicoHawk

He's versatile.

C, wing, PK, and he can throw them if they need them to. Lots of versatility which Q loves.

lucky for me my office computer blocks images and videos...
- EnzoD

You are a lucky man.

Oduya wants to stay with the Hawks, he has said so publicly...Hammer makes $4.1 million a season, and there's no way that Johnny is better than Nick...I can absolutely see Oduya taking a $4 mil/year deal with the Hawks. The key will be the duration...he will want 3 or 4 years and the Hawks will only want a 2 year deal. That's where the negotiating will focus upon IMO.
- MexicoHawk

I don't see it happening. Petry just got some big bucks. Oduya has a cup. I know he loves Chicago, etc........but if he takes a far bellow market deal that would be something. I just don't think you can count on it.

Tomorrow can't come soon enough. Going to be a helluva game. Hope the Hawks come out motivated and ready instead of flat. Their starts in this series have been bad. Even game 3, they were dominated for the 1st, 5-6 minutes.

I'm guessing Bishop doesn't go, but goes in game 6.

TVR's brother has shown some solid balance. When he has played well he scores a lot in the crease area so , if genetics mean anything, the leg and core potential is there. TVR was really showing some decent qualities before the injury but that history - which stretches back apparently all the way to high school according to MH - has to be something of note. Hard to avoid atrophy with a series of similar injuries over years.

Obviously, the Hawks really want Reilly. Hopefully we see him signed this week and then we have Johns, Reilly, TVR, Gustafson to go for those open spots. Probably a veteran like Paul Martin or Beauchamin (not Jackhead) in the mix.. I'd personally love to see Oduya stay while these kids transition but that probably means Crow goes. Even then, hard to take Oduya on a long term deal at the current market.
- tredbrta

Reilly isn't a "big kid" either, but for whatever reason he has avoided major injury. His advantage over TVR is that he is a much faster skater with a quicker first step. Plus he has a lot of experience being the leader of the PP unit. Reilly is a kid that could become a regular contributor within two years if he's given a chance to prove himself. I would bet that whoever eventually signs Reilly will have to "guarantee" that he plays on an NHL roster, much like Kevin Hayes. And if the Hawks do sign Reilly, that is DIRECT competition for TVR as Johns is another type of player altogether.

I don't see it happening. Petry just got some big bucks. Oduya has a cup. I know he loves Chicago, etc........but if he takes a far bellow market deal that would be something. I just don't think you can count on it.
- SteveRain

Steve, just because one GM, desperate to maintain his employment, overpaid Petry how does this make Oduya suddenly a more valuable commodity than Hammer? And even if the Cap goes up this year, its been Cap hell for most teams for the last 2 years. Could another GM offer a $5 million deal for Oduya's services (with his age and his recent history of leg injuries)? Of course, yes, they could, but not without great risk and the likely "suitor" would be a young team looking to get over the hump. Is that what Oduya wants? To leave CHI just for the sake of some more money and for-go more championships??? Personally, I don't think so, but you never know.

Actually Ogi, MOST people in the gym are ONLY interested in their upper body, because that's the "million dollar look". I know it exists with athletes too from personal experience. Most guys simply don't want to put the same TIME and effort into their "legs" (which means core) as they do their upper body, which has always surprised me.
- MexicoHawk

The Russians and Germans knew the trick:

high weight/low reps:
dead lift
squats
bench press
clean and press
lots of protein and sleep

crush your enemies
see them driven before you
and hear the lamentations of da women

Tomorrow can't come soon enough. Going to be a helluva game. Hope the Hawks come out motivated and ready instead of flat. Their starts in this series have been bad. Even game 3, they were dominated for the 1st, 5-6 minutes.

I'm guessing Bishop doesn't go, but goes in game 6.
- SteveRain

Hawkeybuzzers:

Do you think it is a lack of intensity/hunger that is making the Hawks look a "step slow"?

OR is it more a result of the ridiculous team speed of Tampa giving the hawks older legs trouble??

IDK but it just seems that Tampa Bay wants it a bit more to this point...they have 0 Cup champions on their team (right?) and Callahan may be the most Cup-hungry player in the entire series- he is killing us so far-.... I just dont see the consistent "do or die" mentality from a lot of the lineup...looking at you Patrick Kane/Sharp before game 4

Totally. Looks, TVR is listed as 6'2 185 lbs(preseason). Comparaively, Saad, Toews, Hossa are around the same height and all over 200 lbs. Judging from the TvR picture and taking a comparative, albeit observational, analysis with the aforementioned players, it means TvR either needs to bulk up in his legs/hips OR that he doesn't have the bone structure that those other players do. In fact, his brother has a wider jaw and thicker neck than him. TvR picture does tell us though that he is probably well conditioned though(low body fat).

Injuries, totally agree. Something is amiss.... bones? Build?

Agree on your other points too. Reilly would be big grab for long term and I think Johns has a good chance at a spot as does TvR in a #5 or #6 role. Who knows about Gustaffson? Can't also count out strong showings from Pokka or Paliotta in camp. I think the Hawks will try to sign a F/A depth defender looking to win a cup(ala Richards) OR through trade.
- Bjm84

Exactly right, Saad has sprouted two tree trunks for legs. That line of Toews, Hossa and Saad must have the biggest combined quads in the league! That's why you KNOW that Saad is going to become a big scorer in this league, because as he gains confidence he'll go more often to the net, and he'll get there and stay there because he can't be knocked down!

I don't see it happening. Petry just got some big bucks. Oduya has a cup. I know he loves Chicago, etc........but if he takes a far bellow market deal that would be something. I just don't think you can count on it.
- SteveRain

i am with ya...johnny O will get more $$ and more years than the hawks can or will offer...he is a gonner....and I say good for him...he has earned it

Two strongest guys from the hips down I have ever seen in person, by appearance only mind you, are Toews and Nik Lidstrom. From the waist up, both are pretty ordinary. From the waist down, both are built like tanks.
- John Jaeckel

You are starting to sound like Harry Carry talking about Ryne Sandberg...careful...

Just kidding around...

i am with ya...johnny O will get more $$ and more years than the hawks can or will offer...he is a gonner....and I say good for him...he has earned it
- bogiedoc

Yup. Guy is a warrior.

The Russians and Germans knew the trick:

high weight/low reps:
- John Jaeckel

Exactly right. I don't recommend this for the upper body, but for the legs, absolutely right! The only weakness for tall players like Nik Lidstrom is unbalance, so its absolutely necessary to create a strong central core, centre of gravity. When guys like Lidstrom and Chara created that strong core, they became DOMINANT!

Steve, just because one GM, desperate to maintain his employment, overpaid Petry how does this make Oduya suddenly a more valuable commodity than Hammer? And even if the Cap goes up this year, its been Cap hell for most teams for the last 2 years. Could another GM offer a $5 million deal for Oduya's services (with his age and his recent history of leg injuries)? Of course, yes, they could, but not without great risk and the likely "suitor" would be a young team looking to get over the hump. Is that what Oduya wants? To leave CHI just for the sake of some more money and for-go more championships??? Personally, I don't think so, but you never know.
- MexicoHawk

Good points. The issue though is going to be that there are teams with cap space that are very likely to offer money and term. Arizona for example NEEDS to spend a fortune just to get to the floor. Perhaps JO takes a discount to stay, but it will be a LARGE discount, imo.

Tomorrow can't come soon enough. Going to be a helluva game. Hope the Hawks come out motivated and ready instead of flat. Their starts in this series have been bad. Even game 3, they were dominated for the 1st, 5-6 minutes.

I'm guessing Bishop doesn't go, but goes in game 6.
- SteveRain

Bishop goes Saturday. Skipping Wed gave him 5 days of rest..suggesting a bruise or strain injury...

Bishop goes Saturday. Skipping Wed gave him 5 days of rest..suggesting a bruise or strain injury...
- TrueGrit

If I had to guess it would be a left knee strain....

How many people who work out regularly (he does...obviously) only work their upper body?

Pace yourselves folks. It's not even game day yet, and this board is slowly edging toward lunacy.

2 more wins to enjoy before everyone jumps off the ledge over the off-season Armageddon.
- Ogilthorpe2

Part of the reason for my search for a goat.

Honest question, do you think that the Hawks and other teams for that matter with a developed core, would rather sign more NHL ready older college players, vs draft and Junior guys?

This has to be strategic. The college prospect is going to be who he is rather quickly. Meaning, you are not going to wait 3 years for a 23 year old to be ready. he is either close and serviceable or not?
- TrueGrit

In Money Ball, Lewis talked about how Billy Beane preferred drafting players out of college versus right out of high school. The same should apply here, no?

The Russians and Germans knew the trick:

high weight/low reps:
dead lift
squats
bench press
clean and press
lots of protein and sleep

crush your enemies
see them driven before you
and hear the lamentations of da women
- John Jaeckel

Only forgetting pullups... great metabolic conditioning and can never have to strong a back....